Monday 21 September 2009

Thinking Design




It fascinated me that during the assessment of my ten selected images from the entire term, it is my sense of design that drew the most attention. I am glad that this evolving instinct, this attunement to forms and textures in the environment is a) not confined to my growing love of vintage fashion, and b) has been recognized by professional photographers. There is certainly still a long way to go in learning photographic concepts, as well as mastering the darkroom, but I feel encouraged. Nerdy days begone, this academic girl thinks design!

Sunday 20 September 2009

Darkroom Zen




Working is the darkroom was challenging at first, but taught me a great deal about image tones (and that method, discipline and patience go hand-in-hand with art). As one of my fellow students put it, it is a rather zen-like experience. Only difference is that instead of incense sticks, you smell developers and fixers. But it grows on you.

Image-Birthing




After years of itching to learn the 'craft', I finally undertook and completed the nine-week Introduction to Film Photography course at the Centre for Creative Photography.

Tuesday 8 September 2009

Palimpsesting

I'm editing my thesis and trying to explain the notion of a 'palimpsestic reading'. This needs to be referenced, hence I resort to Wikipedia, Google Scholar and Salman Rushdie's Imaginary Homelands. Still no definition. The reference is turning into a palimpsest in its own right. Then I turn to articles from a course on world literature undertaken in my undergrad years. More references to Rushdie's The Moor's Last Sigh, Michael Ondaatje's Running in the Family and Shakespeare's Othello. What a parchment! I'm turning it into a digital record.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Hallelujah

I am at Chocolate Bean and listening to Jeff Buckley's 'Hallelujah' - Hallelujah indeed!

Last time I was here, it was in the middle of a house move, a thesis draft, a documentary screening, a conference preparation and a personal decision hangover. Over two months ago. Only. 

Not that life is perfect now. Not that it ever will be. But it is a perfect moment now as Hallelujah comes on. Despite the pain of the past and the uncertainty of the future.

Hallelujah is now. The external is catching up with internal mechanics. It is not an affectation. It is wilful, ongoing and attuned. Now is hallelujah.